Junior Come & Try Day Community Event 2026 – building and strengthening our nursery

Heading into our 10th year as a club and our 5th season at our home at Comely Banks, we know that 2026 is about more than just what happens on the scoreboard. It’s about finding a proven balance: helping kids develop their skills, gain real game-day experience, and build lasting friendships—all while managing a busy family schedule.

We’ve built the Pakenham Eels around these priorities, ensuring our environment at Comely Banks Recreation Reserve supports both the player on the field and the parents managing the weekly rush. To help your child thrive, join us for our major 2026 launch event. We have a full morning of activity tailored to every age group.

Junior Come & Try Day: The Schedule

WHEN: Saturday 28th of March
WHERE: Comely Banks Recreation Reserve, 125 Bridge Road, Officer.
WHO: Open to all new and returning boys and girls for the 2026 season.

Submit your interest in attending the Junior Come & Try Day by clicking HERE

First Session: 9:30 AM to 11:00 AM

Ages 4 to 7: Our coaches will deliver fun drills and games designed to give players a positive first experience of the club and the game.
Ages 8 & 9: An introduction to basic skills with plenty of fun games to allow for “free play” and enjoyment.
Ages 10 to 12: A basic introduction of skills and drills with Eels coaching staff, engaging in small games to encourage active, fun participation.

Second Session: 10:30 AM to 12:00 PM

Ages 13 & 14: Players will undertake an introduction to skills with a heavy game-based focus, designed to encourage teamwork and real game experience.

Third Session: 12:00 PM to 1:30 PM

Ages 15 to 18: Players will experience a structured warm-up followed by a split into teams for NRL League Touch (a modified format of the game). Current players are highly encouraged to bring a mate!

Junior Come & Try Day Community Event Features:

Free BBQ Sausage Sizzle
Prizes and Giveaways
Merchandise Sales
Registrations Open: Our staff will be on hand to help you secure your spot for the 2026 season.

A Centrally Located Junior Come & Try Day for the Whole Corridor

We are building and strengthening our nursery by connecting with families across Officer, Pakenham, Clyde North, Berwick, Beaconsfield, Narre Warren South, and Officer South. We know that for many parents, the biggest hurdle to midweek training is the perception of distance, but our location at Comely Banks is actually the midpoint of the region.

Positioned just off the freeway, we offer a very quick commute from all directions. To put it in perspective, a drive from Pakenham East takes roughly 18 minutes—which is the same travel time for families coming from Narre Warren or Narre Warren South. Being centrally located means we aren’t just a “Pakenham” club; we are a local hub for the entire corridor, offering a much more manageable trip to a world-class, five-year-old facility.

Public Transport & Player Independence

Beyond the car commute, we also focus on providing independence for our older juniors attending our Junior Come & Try Day. Being a five-minute walk from Officer Station is a game-changer for families.

Whether our players are coming from the west—Hallam, Narre Warren, Berwick, or Beaconsfield—or from the east at Pakenham and Pakenham East, the train puts them right at our gates. This accessibility gives our players ownership over their own training schedule and, more importantly, gives parents back their Tuesday and Thursday afternoons.

A Focused Start: The Nursery and Junior Development

The 2026 season is focused on our youngest age groups, strengthening our nursery to ensure local kids have a clear path from their first day on the grass through to their senior years, and the Junior Come & try Day is the perfect first step.

Under 6 and Under 7: We provide a 100% non-contact introduction to the game, focusing on fun, catching, running, and building confidence.
Under 8 and Under 9: Players move into a beginner platform designed specifically for learning to tackle safely and with correct technique under highly modified rules.
Under 10s to Under 12s: We establish a solid framework of technical skills and a greater tactical understanding of the game, prioritizing skill mastery.

Active Rotation: Our Game-Day Promise

Finally, our approach to game day is centered on Active Rotation. We use our rotations to keep energy high and players fully engaged. This ensures that every child receives meaningful minutes on the field to practice their skills in a real-game environment.

We prioritize quality involvement on the grass over simply filling a roster, allowing our coaches to focus on the individual growth of every player. Our goal is to ensure every Eel leaves the field on Saturday with more confidence and a stronger connection to their teammates nad the Junior Come & try day can kick start that introduction to Rugby League.

Join the Eels for 2026 HERE

See you at Comely Banks for our Junior Come & Try Day on March 28th!

For more information on the 2026 season please click HERE

Why Our Junior Come & Try Day is the Best Way to Start Your 2026 Season